2027 BMW i3: Everything We Know
BMW builds a diverse range of “ultimate driving machines.” But if you prompt a car enthusiast with “BMW,” the first image conjured is probably the 3 Series: the brand’s iconic, sporty compact sedan. The 3 Series defined modern BMW in the late 20th century. Soon, it will help redefine BMW in the 21st because the next generation of the iconic model is going all-electric.
For a good few years, we didn’t know how the upcoming electric 3 Series would be called, but now it’s clear. The Neue Klasse-based four-door sedan will be dubbed the i3, just like the quirky hatchback that put BMW on the map as a serious player in the EV game. Trademark filings suggest the brand may use the i320, i330 and i340 monikers to describe various trim levels and power outputs. The “i” would distinguish the models from the current combustion 3 Series, which will likely stay in production alongside it.
BMW i3 Pre-Production in Munich
Photo by: BMW
This story originally appeared on May 10, 2024. It was updated on March 3, 2026.
A Next-Generation Platform
The new Neue Klasse EV architecture will underpin the 3 Series EV, just like the recently revealed iX3 SUV. The new BMW i3 is poised to be filled to the brim with next-generation EV technology, and it won’t have to make the same design compromises that BMW made with the i4 and i5, which are built on modified combustion platforms.
A new platform means a new electric powertrain for the 3 Series. BMW says its new sixth-generation eDrive system will deliver 30% more range, 30% faster charging and be 25 percent more efficient. The electric 3 Series will use an 800V architecture and pack BMW’s new and more energy-dense cylindrical battery cells, which should allow more efficient packaging and a lower vehicle height for better efficiency.
BMW has noted that the Neue Klasse platform can accommodate up to four motors and a range of 268 to 1,341 horsepower. Expect the entry-level i3 to exist toward the low end of that range, likely with single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD variants.
Range and Charging
Just like the BMW iX3, the new i3 is expected to offer over 300 miles of range on a full charge. Thanks to the new 800-volt architecture, charging speeds are also poised to be in excess of 400 kilowatts, making for quick and easy stops on long drives.
BMW has yet to confirm these figures for the i3, but the logical step would be to give the electric version of its most popular sedan the best technology available. What’s more, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV is right around the corner, ready to bring the automaker’s latest 800V platform to a wider audience after the debut of the GLC SUV last year.
Design
What Will The Electric BMW 3 Series Look Like?
BMW previewed the new electric 3 Series with its Vision Neue Klasse concept. Like its combustion counterpart, the new i3 is expected to be a sporty, three-box sedan. Automotive News expects coupe and wagon variants to follow.
Concepts preview what should be a refreshing departure from BMW’s current styling language to a more minimalist and retro look. Traditional styling elements like the Hoffmeister Kink will endure. Lines should be dramatically cleaner and simpler than we’ve seen from recent BMW vehicles. The new i3 should depart from the mega kidney grille era; the Vision Neue Klasse didn’t have one, and the iX3 features smaller and narrower kidneys.
Photo by: BMW
Expect BMW to push the envelope a bit with the interior. BMW has teased features like augmented reality projection on the windshield and Lincoln Nautilus-like coast-to-coast displays. BMW has also pledged that Neue Klasse vehicles will use more sustainable materials.
What Will Power The Electric 3 Series?
Pricing and availability
Will The Electric 3 Series Get An M Version?
How Much Will The Electric 3 Series Cost?
BMW has yet to announce pricing for the new i3 EV. The current 3 Series sedan starts at around $45,000, and the i4 electric sedan begins at $52,200 MSRP. Factor in modest price increases and the power of deductive reasoning suggests the base i3 will start around $50,000.
When Will The Electric 3 Series Arrive?
BMW is already building i3 prototypes at its factory in Munich, Germany, with manufacturing set to ramp up in the second half of 2026. This means the new BMW i3 will likely debut soon as a 2027 model.
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Source: BMW
